2007
(17/06/2007) Holiday health risks: One-in-ten British adults do not get the vaccinations they need before travelling
One-in-ten (3.7 million) British adults aged 16-64 fails to ensure they have the appropriate vaccinations or precautionary medicines before travelling abroad on holiday. With Britons travelling to ever more exotic destinations2 they are increasing their risk of catching tropical diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and typhoid.
One-in-twenty (2.4 million) Britons aged 16-64 has ignored health advice not to drink the local water when on holiday. These holidaymakers could be putting themselves at risk from diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid fever and hepatitis A. One-in-five (7.7 million) British holidaymakers aged 16-64 has consumed a drink containing ice cubes after being warned to avoid the local water. A further 8.5 million Britons in this age group have eaten a washed salad in a country where they were warned about the health risks of the water.
Holidaymakers may fall ill as a result unscrupulous restaurant staff refilling mineral water bottles with local tap water. Over 2.7 million Britons aged 16-64 admit to having drunk from unsealed bottles of water after being advised not to drink the local supply. AXA Insurance is warning holidaymakers to be vigilant about the water they consume in countries where it is acknowledged that the local supplies pose a health risk. At any one time it is estimated that half the world's hospital beds are occupied with patients suffering from waterborne diseases3.
Nick Kidd, head of lifestyle protection and household claims, at AXA Insurance, commented: "British holidaymakers are putting their health in serious jeopardy by failing to take sensible precautions when they go on holiday. We urge holidaymakers to research their chosen destination and ensure they visit their doctor for the appropriate vaccinations before flying out. Hepatitis A, typhoid and cholera can be contracted from a single infected glass of water or even ice cubes, so it is vital people remain vigilant to the risks."
Regional findings
Britons aged 16-64 from Greater London and Wales & West are the most likely (10%) to put themselves at risk by drinking the local water when advised that it poses a health hazard. Britons living in the North of England are the most likely to put their health at risk by consuming drinks containing ice cubes when on holiday at destinations where they were advised not to drink the local water.
Table 1: Regional breakdown of Britons aged 16-64 who were advised not to drink the local water at their holiday destination and put themselves at risk
| Region | Drink the local water | Consume drinks with ice cubes in | Eat salad | Drank from unsealed bottles of water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | 8% | 20% | 18% | 7% |
| North East / Yorks / Humber | 3% | 23% | 31% | 12% |
| North West | 5% | 28% | 30% | 9% |
| Midlands | 5% | 16% | 16% | 8% |
| South East / East Anglia | 6% | 17% | 20% | 4% |
| Greater London | 10% | 22% | 22% | 7% |
| Wales & West | 10% | 23% | 24% | 6% |
Source: AXA Insurance
- Ends -
Notes to editors
- 1013 British adults aged 16-64 were interviewed by TNS Onlinebus from 3rd - 8th May 2007.
- Source: Office of National Statistics MQ6 Travel and Tourism Report, Quarter 4 2006
- Source: WSCC 2004
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